Leading companies across the UAE are reporting significant increases in staff productivity thanks to the adoption of wellness initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles such as wellness communication and education, fitness classes, stress management, and events promoting health and wellness, among others.

Companies such as Dubai Holding, DHL Express and AlMansoori Specialised Engineering, all report positive business outcomes as a result of these initiatives. In recognition of their efforts, they form part of the select group of finalists for the 2015 Daman Corporate Health Awards, organised by MEED.

Dubai Holding was one of the first organisations in the UAE to formalise a comprehensive corporate wellness programme. The company believes that the workplace is an important platform to adopt a healthier lifestyle and is committed to supporting employees as they strive to be healthier and fitter.

Cedric Betis, Chairman of Dubai Holding Wellness Committee, says: “Wellness constitutes an important pillar of Dubai Holding’s work environment and we have succeeded in building a workplace that is conducive to wellness and productivity. We motivate employees to extend healthy practices beyond office to family and friends, contributing to a healthier and fitter community. We are proud to continuously field the largest corporate contingent at ‘Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon’, ‘Dubai Holding Women’s Run’ and the ‘Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon’.  These events bring about a sense of excitement and achievement, encouraging employees to challenge their limits. Through sponsorship and participation in such key sporting events, Dubai Holding is giving employees the unique opportunity to run alongside record-breaking athletes and partake in world -class sporting events while building a culture of wellbeing.”

DHL Express believes that when it comes to workplace wellness programmes, one size doesn’t fit all. “We recognize that different people are motivated by different things and with over 1,000 UAE employees in diverse roles, we understand those drivers and create the environment and engagement for people to have a healthier lifestyle,” says Anu Daga, Head of HR, DHL Express, which has dedicated half of an entire floor in its Dubai office to a fully equipped fitness centre (with free Zumba and yoga classes), recreation rooms, cafeteria (offering healthy salads and food) and relaxation zones. Other activities include regular health check-ups, encouraging the habit of reviewing vital statistics, health lecturers, sponsoring sports clubs, financial wellness awareness sessions, monthly health newsletters, quizzes and rewards.  The approach is holistic and focuses on long term employee wellness and creating a great workplace.

The results have so far been impressive - year on year DHL Express’s sickness rates for the last three years is at 0.01% and overall injuries rate decreased by 46%, well below market. Overtime has been reduced to practically zero in most functions reinforcing the importance of work life balance.

“Our experience has shown that healthier employees are in a much better position to contribute more significantly to the overall success of the company. Productivity wise, a healthy person is likely to perform better, benefitting from increased energy levels and lowering the chances of illness. For the organisation, greater productivity per capita means greater productivity overall,” says Dr. Michael Bitzer, CEO, National Health Insurance Company-Daman, “We congratulate the companies who have been selected as finalists for the 2015 Daman Corporate Health Awards, a project we are proud to support because we strongly believe it is important to recognise workplace programmes that promote corporate health and support employee wellbeing.”

For AlMansoori Specialised Engineering Services, winner of the 2014 Daman Award for Corporate Health and Wellness Organisation Award, a healthy workforce is vital to a company’s productivity and growth.  Good health is a result of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis.  According to Dr. Robin Tauzin, Chief Wellness Officer, “Our corporate wellness programmes teach employees to maintain optimal health and prevent disease through making healthier choices every day.  The key to our programmes is extensive education on healthy diet and lifestyle choices, as well as the promotion of active participation of employees to encourage them to take responsibility for their health.”

Among the company’s wellness policies include a series of health related talks and presentations where all employees receive its signature 'Know Your Body' and “Healthy Lifestyle” trainings, which teach the fundamentals of leading a healthy lifestyle in order to encourage people to take responsibility for their own health.  AlMansoori encourages non-smoking and healthy food choices.

Now in its second year, the Daman Corporate Health Awards is a pioneering programme that aims to recognise outstanding employers in corporate health and wellness throughout the UAE. It distinguishes organisations and individuals who have implemented exemplary corporate health and wellness initiatives in the following award categories: Daman Award for Corporate Health and Wellness (Organisation), Daman Award for Corporate Health and Wellness (Initiative), Daman Award for Improved Corporate Health and Wellness Performance, Corporate Wellness Leader of the Year, Corporate Wellness Team of the Year, CSR Employee Engagement of the Year, Workplace of the Year Award, Communications Campaign of the Year, Health & Safety Initiative of the Year and Innovation in Work Culture Award of the Year.